that
has not been the case. By-the-by, the spirit-room was open this
morning, and he may have been down there, and may have had the hatches
put over him."

"Well, we must send another midshipman; call Mr Keene," said Captain
Delmar.

The sentry called me, and I made my appearance.

"Mr Keene, you'll go on shore to the dockyard in the jolly-boat: give
that letter to the master attendant, and wait for an answer."

"Yes, sir," replied I.

"Have you seen anything of Mr Dott?" said the first lieutenant; "you
are constantly together."

"I saw him just before Captain Delmar came on board, sir, but I have not
seen him since."

"Well, well, we will settle accounts with the young gentleman as soon as
he turns up," replied the captain: "you may go, Mr Keene."

I perceived that the captain and first lieutenant both smiled as I left
the cabin. It appeared that soon after they left it and the captain
went on shore; but Tommy was so frightened that he remained in his
hiding-place, as he made sure he would be flogged if he made his
appearance, and he resolved to remain where he was until my return, that
he might consult me.

As soon as I had reported myself, and given the answer to the first
lieutenant, I hastened to the cabin, and then poor Tommy crawled from
under the table; the tears were still wet on his cheeks.

"I shall be flogged, Keene, as sure as I stand here. Tell me, what can
I do--what can I say?"

"Tell the truth; that's the best way," replied I.

"Tell the captain that I was hid under the table! that would never do."

"Depend upon it, it's the best plan," replied I; "and it is the only
advice I can give you: you may be flogged if you tell the truth, but you
are _sure_ to be flogged if you tell a lie. It will only add to your
offence."

"Well, I've been thinking about it--I'm sure that Mr Hippesley will
flog me if he catches me to-day or to-morrow; but if I remain hid for a
day or two, they will really think that I have fallen overboard, and
then they will say, `poor Tommy Dott,' and perhaps be so glad when I do
make my appearance, that they will forgive me."

"Yes," replied I, delighted at the idea; "I'm sure they will, if you do
tell the truth when you appear again."

"Then, that is what I'll do. The first lieutenant said that I might be
in the spirit-room. Where shall I go to?"

"Why," said I, "you must remain under the table till dark, and then you
may easily slip down into the coal-hole, w